Heirot

Vlad nodded, masking his discomfort. "I know. I'm fine...next time, I'm sure it will go better." He glared toward the door of the tent. "I didn't even sense him. I'm sorry I left you by yourself."

Tenele shook her head. "No, he pounced on me quick when I was running out to stop you," Tenele replied. "I wouldn't have been so roughed up. But, I was dizzy from drinking. I'm fine. Its not your fault. You can't be with me every second of the day, and I can take care of myself, even while intoxicated."

Tenele stood up and went to him. "I won't pressure you to make love to me, again, okay? Whenever you are ready... you can let me know. Until then, I'll try not to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable."

Vlad swallowed back anger and shame. "Thanks," he said. "What's love without a little suspense."

He touched her neck lightly, looking her over to be sure she was okay. "I'll guard from outside tonight," he said.

Tenele couldn't mask her hurt. Guard from outside? Did it even hurt him to hold her while she slept? "Okay," she replied, forcing a smile. She gave him a gentle pat on the arm, instead of her usual affectionate kiss. "I'm going to lie down." Tenele drew away slowly, turning to head back to Atul's soft pallet.

Vlad could feel her disappointment, and he didn't miss her distant behavior. He tried to be grateful for it as he turned from his lovers. He left the tent and stood outside. The men, still circulating the campground for signs of other imposters, gave him a wide berth, but they didn't stare at him in terror the way the troops in Ighten usually did. What he saw in their eyes was closer to awe and respect than to horror. He appreciated it.

Tenele curled up on Atul's pallet, feeling immensely lonely now that she acknowledged that her husband couldn't enjoy her touch. There was something about really taking notice of it that made her feel isolated. She drew the fur blanket over her shoulders and tried to rest.

"My lord," a guard choked, running alongside Atul as he made his way back to his tent. "My lord, we have a problem..."

"What is that?" Atul asked, pausing. He was not in the mood for anymore problems.

"The body, sir," the guard huffed. "Its gone. I don't know where it is. Phis told Al and I to go take it into the desert away from the camp, but... when we did go to move it it was gone."

"That's..." Atul didn't even finish his sentence, he ran for the tent, past Vlad, and around the corner. Sure enough, there was bloodied sand, but no body.

"Who saw it last?"

"I did sir," replied Phis. "I just walked off to tell them that they should carry the body away from the camp so it wouldn't draw the Sand Dragons here. But..."

"Could a dragon have claimed it?" Atul asked harshly.

"No, not without us noticing."

"So, you are telling me that a dead man got up and walked away?" Atul asked, staring out across the sands.

"Yes," replied the soldier.

"Dead men, don't walk away," Atul replied. "Gather the soldiers and I want you to go out into the desert in search of him. When you find him, send one of Lelana's flairs into the air. I will deal with him."

Vlad's strong ears could hear every word. More concerning was the fact he'd certainly not heard the body move. "I don't think he walked away," Vlad observed. Suddenly guarding the outside of the tent seemed insufficient. "I'll stay by her," he told Atul, and turned back inside. Tenele was curled on the furs when he quietly entered. He watched her closely, wondering how it was possible for a person to move in silence across these sands. The only other explanation was that he'd teleported, which seemed equally impossible.

Atul took his men and spread them in a circle around the encampment and they walked outward for more than two miles. There was no disturbance in the sand, and the small amount of blood just seemed to stop. With no other lead to go on, Atul had his men turned back to the camp.

The King ducked inside, putting the soldiers on sleeping shifts and promising them a full nights rest once they returned to Hajara.

"Nothing," Atul whispered to Vlad, stripping off his shirt and sitting cross legged next to the sleeping woman. "Its like he just... vanished. Which isn't possible. So unless he sprouted wings or can burrow like a mole, he did something impossible."

Vlad frowned. "Something feels off about it. He had to know who he was attacking. And in a literal encampment of armed men." He took in the sight of his fiance's bare chest, and felt a pang of frustrated longing.

"Whatever it is, if he really wanted to hurt her, and I mean really hurt her, he could have and he didn't," Atul sighed. "So, whatever the reason... at least we know he's not out for killing."

Atul settled down next to Tenele, curling an arm over her. "The men are in shifts. They will alert us if anyone comes into the camp. Why don't you rest? We're almost home."

Vlad straightened. "Something we don't understand might be trying to hurt Tenele. Or you," he said carefully. And yet, he took a step toward the furs like he couldn't stay away. He crossed the space slowly and knelt down by their heads. He reached down and smoothed the king's hair gently along his forehead and behind his ear. He looked to Tenele's silver hair and touched her the same way, light and protective.

Atul glanced up to Vlad. "I am not afraid," he replied. "We will never let anything hurt her, and you won't let anything hurt me." Atul reached up and touched Vlad's hand gently. "You have expert hearing, better than anyone. I have no doubt that you'll hear whoever might mean us harm."

Vlad knew he was right. The man's words lightened his heavy thoughts. He slid gracefully to the side and curled against his lover's back, pressing his face in between his shoulderblades. A few moments later, his arm slid around Atul's chest and hugged him tightly. He lay very still and wordlessly vented his anxiety to his lover's body.

Atul sighed softly, feeling his lover's tension. He wasn't sure how to alleviate it. "The look on your face when you were coming to the fire... Did things not go well between the two of you?"

Vlad kissed Atul's spine. "I cannot be a husband to her," he whispered.